The atmosphere at the airport at this time of the year is totally different from previous years, largely due to the recent Covid-19 outbreak in some localities, including Hai Duong and Quang Ninh provinces and Hanoi.
The period from January 27 and February 26 this year would be considered the peak season for the aviation sector in Vietnam.
On Monday afternoon, Terminal 1 of the airport just saw a small number of passengers. Most of the buses were empty.
Duc Tri, a student from the National University, Hanoi, said that because of Covid-19 impact, the airport was much more deserted than usual.
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines General Director Le Hong Ha said over the past days, around 20-25% of passengers had cancelled their flights for the fear of Covid-19 infections.
The airport authorities have asked the ministries of Transport and Health to conduct Covid-19 tests for around 3,200 staff of the airport.
According to To Tu Ha, the airport’s managing director, despite stringent Covid-19 prevention efforts, the airport is facing high risk of Covid-19 infection. If infections are detected, it is possible the airport could be temporarily shut, Ha warned.